Aurora Recall Referendum Question to Be on November Ballot

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, September 20, 2026

Aurora voters will decide in November whether to approve a mayoral recall process that enables residents to remove the sitting mayor through a petition and subsequent vote. If passed, this would create a new accountability mechanism in the city, allowing a recall election during the next general election and potentially triggering a special election if the vacancy occurs early in the term.

Aurora voters will decide in the November election whether to adopt a mechanism allowing the recall of a sitting mayor before the end of their term. The Aurora electoral board approved placing the mayoral recall referendum on the ballot during a meeting on Monday.

If approved, the referendum would establish a process requiring petitioners to gather signatures equal to 20% of the total votes cast in the last mayoral election to initiate a recall. Upon verification, a recall vote would be held during the next general election. Should a majority vote favor removal, the City Council would appoint a replacement within 30 days. If more than 13 months remain in the term, a special election to fill the vacancy would be required within nine months.

The board, which includes Aurora City Clerk Jennifer Stallings and Aldermen Juany Garza and Mike Saville, emphasized the importance of responding to the voices expressed through thousands of petition signatures supporting the measure. Saville stated that regardless of personal views on the question, there is an obligation to listen to residents’ wishes. Similarly, Garza highlighted respecting the will of the people.

A parallel referendum seeking to allow the recall of at-large aldermen was not placed on the ballot. The petition supporting that question fell short of the required valid signatures by 240, after an examination found that 1,101 signatures were invalid.

The referendum initiatives were brought forward by Aurora for Change, a local group focused on establishing recall mechanisms. Organizers including Adam Pauley described the approved question as a “victory” that empowers voters and underscored the principle that elected officials serve at the behest of their constituents.

While Aurora for Change asserts that the effort is nonpartisan and not targeted at any specific official, some proponents have openly called for the removal of Mayor John Laesch. Former Aurora Township Republicans chair Danny Souri, who has voiced opposition to Laesch, said the movement reflects broader concerns about accountability rather than any individual officeholder. Former Mayor Richard Irvin has also publicly supported the referendum and contributed financially to the campaign.

Mayor Laesch has opposed the recall effort, personally objecting to the petitions and verifying signatures to prevent qualification. Legal challenges were raised questioning the city’s authority to enact the recall measure, the timing of potential recall elections, and the clarity of the referendum language. However, the electoral board rejected these objections and allowed the question to proceed.

Efforts to establish recall procedures for municipal officials have encountered challenges across Illinois. The state constitution currently permits recall only for the governor. Previous local attempts, such as a 2024 mayoral recall referendum in Chicago and a recall election in Dolton, were unsuccessful or overturned by the courts. Buffalo Grove’s 2010 recall of an alderman remains a notable exception.

Organizers with Aurora for Change plan to continue voter outreach and engagement to support the measure in the upcoming election, including hosting events to encourage turnout.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.